LA-based spoken word poet Rachel Kann has released a video for her composition “Dancing Lesson (Or How To Let The Words Leave You)“. The clip, which was a Finalist and Curator’s Choice at the Rabbit Heart Poetry Film Festival earlier this year, is directed by Bradford L. Cooper, who also crafted the backing music with producer Atom Smith. Kann and Jhon Gonzalez handled the choreography.

Over a simmering beat of tribal drums, synth chirps and buzzes, and a groovy bassline, Kann’s signature earthy voice passionately encourages listeners to shed feelings of shame and frustration to better pursue an “ineffable” internal source of inspiration. The clip illustrates this theme by showing Kann and various women as they express their pain through interpretive dance while screaming cathartically.

Kann, an established figure in the performance poetry world, has had her work featured on TEDx Talks, NPR, and the podcast Welcome to Night Vale. She has released two poetry collections and three spoken word albums, and is a regular contributor to Hevria.

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